Have you scanned the car for codes? How old is the fuel filter?

 

Yep, didn't throw a code!

The fuel filter is 2 years old, but it sat for about a year.


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Lift up the rear seat bottom, pull back the carpet, and on the passenger side there is a access panel to get to the fuel pump/sending unit. I had a car that did the same thing, hit the tank and the pump would start. Mine was the pump motor was wearing out and a little bump was enough to get it to start.
As for the other light problem, these car do weird things. My stability/wheel spin light came on when I blew off a turbo hose. One has nothing to do with the other.

 

Just an update.

I've had no more EPC light, but about 50% of the time (mostly when it is colder), we still have to bang on the fuel pump to start the car. It's annoying and we just moved right before this started happening and then my daughter had some medical issues that took priority over a fuel pump.

I'm currently trying to find a replacement fuel pump for less than its going to cost me at the dealer. It seems to be the only part that is the same price or MORE online as at the dealer.

Then again I have no idea what the heck I'm looking at, fuel pumps are beyond my expertise in cars. I have always been able to find parts online or at local shops for half the price or less than the dealer so this is driving me nuts!

Anyway, I put a WTB feeler out in the marketplace for a used fuel pump to get me by for awhile, but if anyone has a website suggestion that I may not have found with decent prices, please feel free to let me know. I'm terrified to drive with my daughter and get stuck. Most of the time I can get it started, but in colder weather it sometimes takes two lol.

Ugh.


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Fwiw, either way I am buying a fuel pump this week. I'd just like to maximize my limited funds. Especially since we are probably going to have to lose the beetle this year. Unfortunately two adults and three children do not work out well while having a beetle as our only vehicle.

I am upset enough over likely having to trade my bug in, it's the only way to afford a bigger vehicle. My husband promises I can get a new one in a few years once we finish paying off our divorce debts (lol) but jeez. I'm trying to hang on to this thing as long as I possibly can.

We only have his two kids every other weekend, but those four days a month we can't ever do anything.

So yeah :/


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Put a fuel pump in the car.

This is not unusual.

I actually PM fuel pump around year 8 just so I do not have to walk and have the car towed.

If I replace the pump on MY schedule, I can control the cost and when the pump gets installed. If I replace the pump on the CAR's schedule, I have no control of the cost for either parts or labor and may even need to get the car towed, so a relatively simple and cheap repair can become costly very quickly.

Good news is the pump is changed from inside the car.

Might also consider replacing the fuel pump relay just because.

 

Oh I am, lol. It's getting bought this week regardless.


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I like 1stvwparts.com and ecstuning.com

 

2003 Volkswagen Beetle fuel pump | eBay

 

WOW!

Sent :thumbup::thumbup:

 

Thanks! I was finding a bunch at good prices but was unfamiliar with the website.

My fuel pump is on its way! Along with new tires, and some other stuff.

And yes, I normally wouldn't have waited over four months to replace an essential part on my car, but my daughter was in the hospital with some kidney issues (hopefully resolved now) and my money was better spent not racking up medical debt lol.

I'm excited to have my car back soon lol.


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Thanks 05yellow! Ordered, received and installed. Husband also gave me a tuneup and cleaned and detailed her, and I'm running great and saved $$$.

Now I can work on all of the silly broken stuff like my armrest, drivers window switches and my knobs that broke off. Lol.


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